Alvin Gentry responds to Gortat's critical comments

These quotes are direct from the recorder of our own Mr. David King. I had a some spare time available to transcribe them and so I'm going to present them without editorial comment (although a few things jumped out at me from Gentry's remarks). Dave will be back around tonight to give his thoughts on the matter.

The players left the practice court for a meeting and didn't take questions (although Mr. Paul Coro and Mr. Craig Grialou might have camped out in the hall and waited for them so we might see some quotes turn up later this afternoon. If that happens, we'll share them).

In the mean time, chew on these.

Dave asked Alvin for his comments on what Marcin said. Gentry knew exactly what he was being asked and responded:

"I'm glad he did. It's going to be what it is. Nothing's going to change. We'll try and throw him the ball and we'll try and get him the ball as much as we possibly can and do everything we can to get him the ball but you know, it is what it is."

"We'd love to be able to throw him the ball and have him post up and score for us (but) that hasn't been one of his strengths really."

Dave followed up by asking what Gentry felt Gortat's strengths are:

"Screening, rolling to the basket. Athletic enough that he can get offensive rebounds, running the open court like he did last year. Nothing's changed from last year."

Is his role in the offense impacting his defense and rebounding?

"You should be able to separate them. They're two difference facets of the game. Playing defense and rebounding and blocking shots has nothing to do with what you do on the other end. See Kenneth Faried."

Gentry also discussed the line up change and repeated what he'd said after the game on Saturday, "We will make a change."

He wouldn't say what the change would be or even if he's decided on the specifics yet. He said he just doesn't like how the starting unit is playing together and left the door open for some guys changing positions. Interesting.

"I don't, in general, like the way those guys are playing as a group. We'll look at positions we have guys in and combinations."

Asked specifically about a changed role for P.J. Tucker, Gentry said no. He called him a great defender who would be "in game when we need stops."

He wants to see the team pass more and swing the ball from strong side to weak side but when open, guys need to shoot.

Stay tuned for more on this later.